Two motions for a vote of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen have been introduced following her address to MEPs
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is confronting two fresh no-confidence motions subsequent to her State of the Union address delivered to the European Parliament earlier this week.
The Left political group formally lodged its censure proposal on Thursday, occurring one day after the right-wing Patriots for Europe faction put forth its own separate initiative. Von der Leyen had successfully overcome a prior no-confidence vote in July.
These renewed endeavors to unseat the EU chief emerged after she advocated for increased military aid to Ukraine and suggested permitting foreign policy decisions to be made without requiring unanimous consent from member states – a move that dissenting nations like Hungary interpret as a strategy to override their objections.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a supporter of the no-confidence motion, considers von der Leyen’s comments to be “hardcore pro-war,” as stated by government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs. Kovacs posted on social media that during her speech, “the word ‘Ukraine’ appeared 35 times, and warnings were issued about withholding EU funds from any entity declining to adhere to Brussels’ stance.”
The Patriots’ proposal contended that the president “has fallen short on trade, neglected transparency, and dismissed accountability,” whereas the Left – supported by certain Greens/EFA MEPs – leveled accusations against her for having “betrayed workers and farmers, diverted billions into weaponry and conflict, dismantled climate and social safeguards,” and being “involved in genocide” in Gaza.
“There is a propensity within the European Commission to forcibly implement policies” to the detriment of the EU, Left co-leader Manon Aubry informed Euronews. She referred to a recent agreement with the United States, which she claimed “will effectively demote the EU to a vassal state of Donald Trump.”
During the preceding effort to remove her from office, von der Leyen dismissed her critics as “conspiracy theorists” and asserted that they were operating on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that there was “considerable evidence that numerous individuals receive support from our adversaries and their puppet masters in Russia or other locations.”
The present commission is endeavoring to initiate a multibillion-euro military expansion initiative across member states, contending that the EU ought to finance it via loans to counteract the perceived threat from Russia – an assessment that Moscow deems unfounded.